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Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by imagep

Well there we go. If we want border security, then we should just turn this country into a hell hole. At least the cost will be at Mexico's expense and not the US tax payers. better start voting democrat!

We are certainly headed in the that direction. This democrat administration is doing its best to get us there sooner rather than later.

Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by shrubnose

The American Indians (Natives.) had open borders.

How did that work out for them?

No they didn't, hence why they often shot arrows at colonists trespassing illegally on their lands. There is a difference between having open borders and being conquered by superior military technology. That latter is what happened with American Indians.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"When we live authentically we create an opportunity for others to walk out of their dark prisons of pretend into freedom."

Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by clownboy

Still no answer. What country has open borders now?

There are open borders between every U.S. state, many of which have larger economies than most countries in the world. The same basic arguments against immigration from country to country apply to immigration between states.

The three main objections to open borders seem to be this:
1. Immigrants will bring diseases
2. Immigrants will take jobs from the country they move to and damage the economy
3. Immigrants will pay few taxes but take advantage of social services, such as free education.

Does anyone have any other primary point to add to that list?

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"When we live authentically we create an opportunity for others to walk out of their dark prisons of pretend into freedom."

Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by TeleKat

(For conservatives and other closed border advocates)

A common conservative argument against open immigration is that we have a massive and easily manipulated welfare system that will be taken advantage of by immigrants in the event of the borders being opened.

If our welfare state were to be fixed or eliminated, would open borders become a viable option? If not, would there ever be a time where you think it'd be viable and what would that entail?

Curious question.

I think the question should be more clearly defined, i.e., "open borders between the states" or "open borders between countries of North America". It matters how the issue is phrased.

The U.S. has always had open borders between the States. What we have not had is open borders between North American countries, i.e., Canada to our north and Mexico to our south. However, our immigration policies concerning both countries have been far more liberal than they've been for other countries that are not part of the North American continent. In fact, most people don't seem to realize that until the late 1800's (and again around the 1930's), America really didn't put up too much of a fuss about Mexicans cross the Mexico/U.S. border. It's not until now that Mexicans freely crossing over into the U.S. really became a problem...at least in the eyes of most Republicans/Conservatives.

Now, to be fair I understand better than most would believe why the illegal Mexican (Hispanic) alien issue is of such concern today than it was 20...30...40 years ago. However, I'll save that discussion for another debate. But to answer the question, no. Open borders between counties is a bad idea.

Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by Lakryte

No they didn't,

hence why they often shot arrows at colonists trespassing illegally on their lands. There is a difference between having open borders and being conquered by superior military technology. That latter is what happened with American Indians.

If they didn't have open borders, how did the colonists first land in the Americas, when the native inhabitants greatly outnumbered them?

Re: Are Open-Borders Ever Viable?

Originally Posted by shrubnose

If they didn't have open borders, how did the colonists first land in the Americas, when the native inhabitants greatly outnumbered them?

Is that a serious question? The United States does not have open borders, yet people land in the United States undocumented all the time, same as the colonists. The fact that people manage to land somewhere without the permission of the existing residents does not mean the landing is permissible. That is complete nonsense.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"When we live authentically we create an opportunity for others to walk out of their dark prisons of pretend into freedom."